William Lewis Cabell was born on January 1, 1827 in Danville, Virginia, United States; a descendant of Dr. William Cabell who came to Virginia in the early part of the eighteenth century; the son of Benjamin W. S. and his wife Sarah Epes (Doswell) Cabell. His father was a veteran of the War of 1812, member of the Virginia Assembly, member of the constitutional convention of 1829-30, and a newspaper editor.
William graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1850, entered the United States Army, and by 1858 had attained the rank of captain.
After leaving Virginia, Cabell was assigned by General Albert Sidney Johnston to serve under General Earl Van Dorn, who was commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department. Cabell was promoted to brigadier general and placed in command of all Confederate troops on the White River, with his headquarters at Jacksonport, Arkansas. Soon after the Battle of Pea Ridge, Confederate forces were withdrawn from Arkansas and moved across the Mississippi River. Upon his arrival at Corinth, Mississippi, Cabell was given command of a Texas brigade with an Arkansas regiment attached. Cabell led this brigade in several engagements around Corinth.
Cabell was transferred to an Arkansas brigade, which he led in the Battle of Iuka and the Battle of Corinth. He was wounded leading a charge against the Union entrenchments at Corinth and again at the Battle of Hatchie's Bridge, which left him temporarily disabled and unfit for field command.
In February 1863, he was placed in command of northwestern Arkansas and successfully recruited and outfitted one of the largest cavalry brigades west of the Mississippi. Cabell led this brigade in over 20 engagements in the Trans-Mississippi Department including prominent roles at the Battle of Poison Spring and the Battle of Marks' Mills where he commanded two brigades under General James Fleming Fagan. Cabell was captured in Kansas (by Sergeant Calvary M. Young of the 3rd Iowa Cavalry) during Price's Raid on October 25, 1864 at the Battle of Mine Creek and was held as a prisoner of war at the Johnson's Island prison camp on Lake Erie and then at Fort Warren in Boston, Massachusetts.
After the war, Cabell returned to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he worked as a civil engineer and studied law at night. He was admitted to the Arkansas bar in 1868 and practiced law for a few years.
In 1872, Cabell and his family moved to Dallas, Texas. In 1874, he was elected mayor of that city and served three two-year terms: in 1874-1876, in 1877-1879, and finally in 1883-1885. During his tenure, he expanded rail access to the city, established sewer and electrical services, started a program of paving streets, and presided over a period of rapid growth.
After leaving office, Cabell became Vice President of the Texas Trunk Railroad Company. In 1885, he was appointed as U. S. Marshal and served in that capacity until 1889. During the Spanish–American War, at age 71, he offered his military services to the U. S. Government.
Cabell also remained active in Confederate veteran affairs. He oversaw several large veteran reunions and assisted in establishing pensions, veteran homes, and Confederate cemeteries in Texas. He served as commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the United Confederate Veterans.
William Lewis Cabell died in Dallas on February 22, 1911. 50, 000 people lined the streets for a military parade and 25, 000 witnessed the ceremony of his burial at Greenwood Cemetery.
Before his death, Cabell had converted to Catholicism.
He distinguished himself for his bravery in attack.
In July 1856 he was married to Harriet A. Rector.
